If Allardyce does part company with West Ham then Mackay’s name will be in the frame.

The fans are ­demanding more expansive football than Allardyce’s team have been giving them and former Hammers defender Mackay would have to convince co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold he could deliver that.

Gianfranco Zola has also decided against the Forest job, leaving the door open for Paul Hart – who managed the East Midlands side from 2001 to 2004 – or ex-West Brom boss Steve Clarke.

Clarke is on gardening leave from The Hawthorns after being dismissed in December, and Forest have asked the Baggies for permission to talk to him. Hart is academy director at Charlton.

Former Hammers boss Zola is not interested in Forest because he is the man QPR will turn to if Harry Redknapp leaves in the summer.

Rangers’ chairman Tony Fernandes is a huge fan of the Italian and with Redknapp’s future in doubt he is at the top of their wanted list.